Monday, August 29, 2011

I have been taking pictures all over LA of these gorgeous trees. They bloom in shades of pink, light purple and white from now through October and after 10 years of being in this city, you would think I would know what they were called. Finally thanks to Henry Road facebook friends, I am educated and now know that they are Crepe Myrtle and happily reside all over the South. Thank you friends! Their luscious color thrills me!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Maija Isola (1927-2001) was a Finnish textile designer responsible for some of Marimekko's most iconic designs including the Unikko floral. Her vast body of work includes over 500 prints.

I love this anecdote on the marimekko site, "In 1970, Maija Isola wrote to her daughter from Paris:
“Bon soir children. I’m having a wonderful time these days. I’ve started working. Once again, I feel as if I’ll never find the time to do even a fraction of all the things I want to do. – – I had a huge floral still-life of sorts spread out wet on the floor, waiting to be rolled up ... paints in yoghurt pots, and newspaper everywhere, and flowers in vases on the floorboards. I bought those to paint from on Pentecost. Large deep-red roses, small and fragrant, curiously furry pink roses, yellow, orange and white poppies, cowslips in various shades of purple, black tulips and tiny carmine flowers whose name I don’t know.”"

Her bold graphics and use of strong color definitely inspired me and influenced my work and for that I thank her.

Image appeared in New York Times in an article about “Magic Trip: Ken Kesey’s Search for a Kool Place,” directed by Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side,” “Freakonomics”) and Alison Ellwood. A documentary made from rescued footage of a 1964 journey shot by Kesey, the author of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” and his crew of Merry Pranksters.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

For some unknown reason I am obsessing over gorgeous old radios. You know the ones with knobs that fall off, that crackle slightly especially when the sound is cranked up enough to drown out my off-key singing.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

I could move right into this bedroom! Love the color and textural mix and the great art. On a purely practical note, the only thing that wouldn't work here in LA is the glass over the bed. Via SFgirl by Bay

I have been a fan of Alison Willoughby's skirts for years and wandered over to her site today for a 'fix' of imagination, ingenuity and talent. Alison is known for her highly individual and hand constructed intricate skirts that are essentially wearable art. I aspire to hang one of her skirts on my wall.

Loving the use of suzanis in these rooms. Beautiful black and white dining area by Pip McCully with gorgeous windows and lots of suzani pillows popping some color on the window seat. And a stunning dramatic bedroom by Marjorie Skouras with a suzani as a canopy and headboard.

Monday, August 15, 2011

This home of Jane and Matt Martino featured on Design Files is a wonderful blend of old and new with global influences, lovely architectural features, great art and a handsome cat thrown in. Love everything including the postbox red backdoor!

I thought I would start the week with this wonderful magazine, At Your Leisure that came in the mail last week from Jonathan Lo of J3 Productions. A smorgasbord of beautiful styling and layout, happy interiors and a celebration of color and things that inspire, it more than lives up to its billing: "This zine is simply: An exploration of ideas, images, concepts and colors. An homage to those that inspire and a desire to do the same. A visual train of thought. A celebration of individuals that live what they love."

A limited edition print run is available here. The photos I took below don't do it justice but should give you a sense of the loveliness inside. Thanks Jonathan for sending it to me!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Gemma of Line Shape Colour is on the road with her husband. They are traveling through the Middle East and Asia for four months and she is posting a stunning album of photos on her blog en route. Enjoy this small selection!

Monday, August 8, 2011

At next month's London Design Festival, there will be a number of installations in the Victoria and Albert Museum. This visualization of Textile Field by the French design duo, the Bouroullec Brothers brings to mind surfing on stunning turquoise and aqua waves.